Media is a powerful force in the sports world. It is not difficult or groundbreaking to fathom the reach of television, radio, the Internet, and podcasts. There is perhaps no more impactful form of media, however, than social media. This was evident—and then some—over the last week when a video surfaced of New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs partying on a yacht. The video, which featured Diggs reveling with dozens of cohorts, sent waves of emotion not only in New England, but throughout the NFL world.
The video, and more so the reaction to it, was emblematic of the age in which we have lived for many years now. Gone are the days when Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle could stay out until 2:00 a.m. boozing and carousing with a varied cast of characters and still be considered national heroes.
We are in an ongoing and ever-growing era where everyone is watching.
The fact of the matter is that Stefon Diggs was partying on a boat during the offseason. He did not miss any mandatory practices or OTAs with the Patriots. He was doing nothing illegal, was not arrested, suspended, or punished in any way. He was having fun before the rigors of the NFL season began. That’s pretty much it.
Social Media Gives Anyone A Voice
The power of social media thinks differently, however, and finds its root in the concept of immediacy. In short, people jump to conclusions like Edwin Moses jumped over hurdles. There is no trial by jury, grace period, or deep breaths—just a rush to the computer or mobile device to chime in and pile onto the BS. I checked out a lot of social media sites in the immediate wake of the Diggs video. These were some of the comments:
“You want a guy handing out drugs on a boat when he is supposed to be rehabbing his knee? The Patriots need solid leaders and he ain’t it. 3 teams in 3 years for a reason. As talent they need him, but not what he has done so far.”
“He’s a good player, but he has been a cancer on every single team that has had him. It’s just not worth it. While the Pats need someone of his talent, we don’t need someone with his lack of moral compass and attitude.”
“I think if you keep this guy, you lose the whole team. It’s a distraction a rebuilding team doesn’t need.”
“I’m surprised (Patriots head coach) Mike Vrabel didn’t use this opportunity to hammer home a new culture by cutting Diggs right away. He’s got to go.”
“I think it’s obvious at this point. Not feeling like it’s a great fit, was surprised Vrabel signed him honestly.”
“My thought process is you represent the team on and off the field. I’m not naive to think stuff like this doesn’t go on either most players. However he has a history that he alone created of being a difficult teammate.”
“All elite players are divas.”
“I would cut him before he becomes an even bigger distraction. Aaron Hernandez had great hands and superb yards after catch, but he was a piece of (expletive deleted). Hope the Pats have learned something. Bye, Diggs.”
I especially like the last comment where this person compared a guy partying on a boat to a convicted murderer. But of course, social media also has a short memory.
Guilty Before Innocent Is Too Common
The fact is that Patriots fans loved Aaron Hernandez until his true personality was revealed. A lot of the Diggs reaction took it a step further as, in the video, Diggs appeared to be in possession of some form of substance. Many viewers assumed that it was illegal drugs despite the fact that there was no basis for such an assumption.
I understand the venomous vitriol to an extent. Too many of today’s football stars have become utter disappointments, consistently blotting Roger Goodell’s precious NFL shield with horrific black marks. In truth, the word “famous” no longer applies. Try infamous, notorious, or just plain obnoxious. A lot of NFL players continue to shine brilliantly on the field, but then venture deeply into a dark side, only to re-emerge in full ugliness on the Internet scroll the next morning.
The drunken mug shots and inevitable blaming of the media are signs of people who truly believe their own hype. I know the history of NFL players drinking in the attention and the champagne, enjoying the nightlife and, at times, coming afoul of the law in a blameless and almost infantile way.
Some would make the point that NFL players are, in fact, characters. Let me paraphrase Harvey Keitel as Winston Wolfe in the film Pulp Fiction: Just because you are a character doesn’t mean you have character.
I check Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter every morning just like you do, but the Diggs story hits at the heart—or maybe the heartlessness—of social media reaction. The truth is that Stefon Diggs did nothing wrong. If you want to excoriate him for putting the boat thing on video, OK, but that is unavoidable. Recording devices are everywhere.
Can We Just Stay Focused On Football?
Here’s another thing. From a purely pigskin perspective, Patriots fans should want a dude like Diggs. That team needs a diva receiver, someone with a little edge on and off the field. Because of the blanket of social media in which we all snuggle, we know too much and we see too much now. Can he catch the ball? Will he be a help to second-year QB Drake Maye as he was for a young Josh Allen in Buffalo? These are the only questions that fans should need answered.
Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and Cris Carter all had various types of controversies at different points in their careers. They are all also in the Hall of Fame. The reaction to Diggs’ boat blowout was quintessential social media overreaction. When did everyone become so needy of role models? Not every player on the team, veteran or otherwise, needs to be a perfect person.
As expected, Vrabel, a no-nonsense dude if ever there was one, reacted immediately. Unlike the Internet reaction, however, his was more thought out and cerebral. Regarding the Diggs video, he told reporters, “It’s something that we’re aware of, and obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field. The message will be the same for all our players, that we’re trying to make great decisions. Any conversations that I’ve had with Stefon will remain between him, I and the club.”
100% correct. The yacht incident should be solved in one conversation with the coach.
And guess what? Stefon Diggs attended Patriots OTAs almost immediately after his day on the high seas and a chat with Vrabel. In fact, he did not just return to the team—he was running routes with speed and enthusiasm, and moreover, was working one-on-one with several of the team’s young wide receivers, teaching them the game, being a leader, and imparting the wisdom that he has gained throughout his NFL career. Funny, I didn’t see a lot of social media reaction to that video.
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